CM Siddaramaiah refutes charges of Guarantee schemes being reason for petrol price rise

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders staged a demonstration against the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka State government over the increase in price of petrol and diesel. Ahead of the 2023 Vidhana Sabha Elections, the Congress had also staged similar demonstrations against the BJP government. They came to power on the back of the guarantee schemes that they had promised. The opposition leaders now however claim that the guarantee schemes are responsible for the increase in prices as the state’s treasury has taken a hit as a result of it. 

Also Read: BJP stages cycle rally in Bengaluru to protest state government’s fuel price hike

Siddaramaiah however justified the increase in prices. He refuted the allegations made against him by the BJP leaders. Speaking to reporters at the Jindal Vijayanagara Airport in Bellary, he said “We have spent Rs 60,000 crore on the guarantee schemes. Do we not need to take all things into consideration? The price rise isn’t due to the guarantee schemes. We also have development projects to consider. When the Modi government took charge, the price of petrol and diesel was Rs 72. Currently it is Rs 102. The price of crude oil has reduced. But the price of petrol has increased. The Manmohan Singh government granted subsidies. Petrol was affordable back then. The increase in price occurred during the Modi government.”